The progress of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey…The progresse of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey…

In that first great work,¹ he still put off the better things to the later days. He could, if it had pleased him, have created all the things that he did create, at once. Had he at once said, Let there be light, firmament, waters, earth, all manner of trees, and herbs bearing seed, Sun, Moon and Stars, fowls, fishes, beasts and man, they had instantly been all; but voluntarily and purposely he took up six days in creating them, and in each day made several and distinct creatures, but ever the better, for the reason before specified. This will evidently appear by an induction of particulars, which follow in order.

In that first great work,¹ he still put off the better things to the later daies. He could, if it had pleased him, have created all the things that he did create, at once. Had he at once said, Let there be light, firmament, waters, earth, all manner of trees, and herbs bearing seed, Sunne, Moon and Stars, fowls, fishes, beasts and man, they had instantly been all; but voluntarily and purposely he took up six daies in creating them, and in each day made severall and distinct creatures, but ever the better, for the reason before specified. This will evidently appear by an induction of particulars, which follow in order.

1. 1Gods works better & better.

1. The light which he created in the first day,¹ was indeed a glorious creature. But either it was the element of fire (for no where else we read of creating fire) or else it was some other light, which was of use but for three days: for in the fourth day those lights were made, which have hitherto continued, and shall continue to the worlds end. So as either this light was annihilated, when those were made, or else it was settled in the body of the Sun.